Seeing the sights of Copenhagen: The Rundetarn; Nyhavn; Amalienborg Slot; Marmorkirken

We had a day brilliant in Copenhagen recently and all these sights are within walking distance from one another. The Rundetarn is the historic Round Tower and gives great views of the city; Nyhavn is the infamous and colourful canalside strip; Amalienborg Slot is a grand cobbled square surrounded by four rococo palaces (their Queen lives here!); and the Marmorkirken is an impressive marble church.

Rather weirdly the 17th century Rundetarn is along a high-street full of shops. If you are heading in the right direction you really can’t miss it!

It’s imposing red bricked tower was intended as an observatory and sometimes that’s exactly how it’s used. We, however, intend to look down at the streets below being that only grey skies are above us today

Excitement mounts as we realise that rather than a narrow spiral staircase of most towers it has a broad cobbled spiral walkway. In the early 18th century, Peter the Great rode all the way to the top (with his poor wife in a carriage behind). In 1902 a car drove up too!

It winds round seven and a half times and has surprises along the way

A very old loo. No thanks, I’ll wait…

A currently empty exhibition space which shows the giant planks holding the bells of the Trinitas church (apparently)

Most brilliant by far is this gap showing the inner space of the tower. James has always been the bravest/maddest of us all

CRACK!

The view from the top is lovely even with grey skies

They like a tower here

On our way to Nyhavn we pass through this lovely square Grabrodretorv. A peaceful and pretty place to sit. Tho’ not for us as we have one day here and no time for frivolous things like sipping coffee!

We reach the bustle Nyhavn. It is a bit more tacky than other parts of Copenhagen and was once it’s red-light district but is now filled with over-priced averagely good bars and cafes

The quayside is full of colourful buildings and music is cheerfully played

It was opened by a King in the 17th century to allow ships excess to the centre

But it’s main purpose now it less ‘merchant’ and more ‘munch’ and people watching is also big on this strip

For no reason than it made us giggle

Amalienborg Slot is a vast cobbled space, full of people on bikes. Being English I love that there is a Queen living here

and slightly bemused that I could knock on her door

Well, you know, maybe not

It’s all rather grand

We head to the Marmorkirken, or Marbled Church, with it’s 46m dome inspired by St Peter’s in Rome. They all are aren’t they?!

It’s foundation stone laid by the King in 1749, but shortly after construction was abandoned for virtually 150 years. The huge green dome and spire, resting on 12 columns, represents the largest church dome in the whole of Scandinavia

It’s a beautiful and calm space. We were happy to sit for a while, rest and enjoy

We all really enjoyed our dip into Copenhagens historical culture. And now I think we deserve that coffee and maybe some smørrebrød slathered in this and that…